บท 26: Chapter 26- The News
Morning came with the golden light of Helios barely filtering through the veiled clouds of Olympus. The throne room was filled with a quiet hum of anticipation. My family—my council—gathered in their rightful places, though the usual mix of chatter and laughter was subdued. In the center of the room, Athena knelt, her gray eyes fixed on the marble floor. She radiated a calm that belied her turbulent origins, her armor gleaming even in the softened light.
I sat back on my throne, leaning against the cool marble and steepling my fingers. My gaze lingered on Athena as her story replayed in my mind.
"So," I began, breaking the silence, "to summarize… You're telling me that Metis escaped Atlas, transformed herself into a fly to hide, and was swallowed by Aeolus because he was snoring in the clouds?"
Athena lifted her head slightly, her expression composed but her voice steady as steel. "Yes, my king."
"And she stayed there, trapped inside his head, for years?"
"Yes, my king."
I shifted my gaze to Aeolus, seated to my right. He raised both hands defensively, his expression somewhere between sheepish and baffled. "I didn't know!" he protested. "Who would suspect they'd swallowed a goddess while sleeping?"
"Your snoring is legendary," Poseidon quipped, earning a few chuckles from the room.
"Tell me about it, I sleep next to the man." Hera muttered looking at her husband lovingly as he looked at her in betrayal, everyone laughed louder at this
"Enough," I said, though a smirk tugged at my lips. My fingers drummed against the armrest as I mulled it over. "It's an absurd tale. Almost unbelievable... but from how things have played out I do believe you. Athena, you are here now and what matters is your future."
Athena nodded solemnly. "I am at your service, my king."
I stood, my presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Athena," I began, "daughter of Atlas and Metis, your strength, wisdom, and the peculiar circumstances of your birth have brought you here today. After consideration, I find you fit to serve on the council of Olympus."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. No objections, as I had expected. She had proven her worth just by existing and enduring the madness of her origin.
As I spoke the words, a radiant glow surrounded Athena, and with it came the unmistakable hum of divine authority settling into place. A scroll materialized in my hands, adorned with golden seals. I held it up, arching a brow.
"A letter? Really?" I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes. "Lazy fates. They couldn't even show up in person."
"What's that, brother?" Poseidon asked, leaning slightly toward me.
"A decree from the Fates," I said with a sigh. "Apparently, this is their new system—sending letters with domains attached." I broke the seal and unrolled the scroll, scanning its contents.
I raised my voice for all to hear. "Athena shall hold the domains of Wisdom, Cultivation, and Battle Strategy." I turned to her, allowing a faint smile to soften my expression. "Rise, Athena. You are now an Olympian goddess, a member of this council, and a part of our family. We are happy to have you here."
As she stood, applause erupted around the room. Even the ever-stoic Hephaestus gave a nod of approval, and Ares offered her a rare, genuine smile. A new marble throne materialized beside Hestia's, its design elegant yet commanding, adorned with motifs of olive branches and geometric patterns. Athena took her seat with grace, her gaze steady and unwavering.
The applause was dying down, and the atmosphere shifted toward dispersing when I cleared my throat, cutting through the noise. "Before you all leave," I said, my tone drawing every eye back to me, "there's something else I must announce."
A ripple of curiosity passed through the room. Hera tilted her head, her expression sharp with interest, while Poseidon raised a brow, leaning on his trident.
Before I could continue, the doors to the throne room burst open, and Hecate stormed in. Her wild hair framed her radiant face, and she held her hand high, brandishing a ring that glinted like a star.
"I'M GETTING MARRIED!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the marble walls.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then Hera, Hestia, and Demeter shrieked with delight, rushing toward her. The throne room devolved into chaos as they surrounded Hecate, cooing over the ring and peppering her with questions.
"When is the wedding?" Hera demanded.
"Who's officiating?" Hestia added.
"Are there going to be flowers?" Demeter asked, her excitement nearly overshadowing the others'.
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose as my family descended into unbridled giddiness. "I was trying to announce it properly," I muttered, though my voice was lost in the commotion.
Poseidon and Aeolus clapped me on the back, their grins wide and annoyingly smug.
"Congratulations, brother," Poseidon said, his tone laced with amusement. "Finally taking the plunge, eh?"
Aeolus nodded, chuckling. "You're braver than I thought."
I sighed, though a smile tugged at the corners of my lips despite myself. "Thank you, brothers," I said dryly.
Ares and Hephaestus approached next, each offering a firm handshake and their congratulations.
"About time, Uncle," Ares said, his smirk as sharp as his blade. "I was beginning to think you'd never do it."
"Make sure she doesn't curse you before the vows," Hephaestus added, his rare humor catching me off guard.
"She's more likely to curse you for saying that," I retorted, earning a low chuckle from him.
Amid the chaos, Hecate broke free from the gaggle of goddesses and made her way to me. Her smile was radiant, and for a moment, everything else faded into the background.
"Well?" she asked, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Are you happy?"
I took her hand, brushing my thumb over the ring she so proudly displayed. "Happier than I've been in centuries," I admitted, my voice low enough for only her to hear.
She grinned, leaning up to kiss my cheek before turning back to the others. "Now, let's plan the most unforgettable wedding Olympus has ever seen!"
As the throne room erupted once more, I couldn't help but laugh. My family, chaotic and maddening as they were, had given me one of the strangest mornings in a long while. And yet, I wouldn't have traded it for anything.
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